AMERICAN ESKIMO

Temperament: Playful, Perky, Smart
Height: 9-12 inches (toy), 12-15 inches (miniature), 15-19 inches (Standard)
Weight: 6-10 pounds (toy), 10-20 pounds (miniature), 25-35 pounds (standard)
Life Expectancy: 13-15 years
Group: Non-Sporting Group 

ABOUT THE AMERICAN ESKIMO

The soft, white, and fluffy American Eskimo is sometimes referred to as “The Dog Beautiful.” The Eskie is clever, active and mischievous. If you don’t have those same qualities in equal or greater amounts, he’ll have you wrapped around his little white paw in no time flat. This Spitz breed has many excellent qualities, including three different sizes (standard, miniature and toy), but he’s not the right breed for everyone.

He loves to have a good time and is always ready for an adventure. His curious and comical nature is sure to make you laugh several times a day. He is sensitive and dislikes discord among family members. Don’t argue in front of him; he won’t like it.

PERSONALITY

Not only does the American Eskimo Dog have a winning look, but he’s also got a winning personality. He’s spunky, clever, plays hard, and loves vigorous exercise. Because he is naturally suspicious of strangers, he makes an excellent watchdog.

The strong-willed Eskie also needs a confident owner who can take charge in teaching and leading him. He learns quickly, however, so training is fun and highly successful.

Don’t plan on leaving this breed alone too much. He loves being part of a family and can suffer separation anxiety if left alone for long periods of time.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 1/2 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

HEALTH

A responsible breeder will test his or her breeding stock for health issues such as hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy. As with all breeds, an Eskie’s ears should be checked weekly to remove debris and avoid a buildup of wax, and the dog’s teeth should be brushed regularly.

Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club:

• Hip Evaluation
• PRA Optigen DNA Test
• Ophthalmologist Evaluation

CARE

Though he does well just about anywhere, it should comes as no surprise that the American Eskimo Dog loves cold climates. One of the joys of owning an Eskie is watching him play in the snow, which most Eskies love and will play in for hours.

American Eskimo Dogs need a lot of exercise. They are indeed large dogs in small packages, and they can become destructive if they don’t get regular exercise. They do well in busy households because their energy helps them keep up with everyone.

Don’t leave the dog alone for long periods of time and, when you do leave him, put him in a crate with plenty of sturdy toys to keep him occupied.

GROOMING

Eskies shed almost constantly. A thorough brushing two or three times a week will remove dead hairs before they can be shed, as well as help to prevent matting. The oil on an Eskie’s fur prevents dirt from adhering, so a good brushing is usually enough to remove it. It is OK to bathe an Eskie occasionally, but doing so more than once every few months can make his skin dry and irritated. As with all breeds, the Eskie’s nails should be trimmed regularly.

Source: akc, dogtime, vetstreet